Paul Revere's Horse

Once upon a time a father and son were discussing the importance and significance of success.  The son finally said, “It must be great to be famous and have people remember your name, like Paul Revere.  Now he was a great man.”

The father responded, “Yes, Paul Revere was a great and memorable man, but do you know the name of his horse?” 

Of course the boy did not, nor do we, for history does not record its name. 

The father then said, “Did you ever stop to think that Paul Revere could not have taken the ride if it had not been for the horse?”

That causes me to pause and ponder.  Who has helped bring me to this moment in my life?  I did not arrive here on my own.  Some of my influencers have been my wife, teachers, parents, siblings, authors, speakers, and friends along the way who have contributed to my present state. 

From time to time I like to reflect on some of these individuals and whisper a word of gratitude for their influence and guidance.  If they happen to still be alive, I’ll occasionally picked up the phone just to say ‘Hi’ and ‘Thanks’, or send a quick email. 

I have a friend who is now a successful pastor of a large church in New Mexico.  When we reconnected on Facebook after an absence of many years we now keep in touch.  In one of his posts, my friend Larry said, “Of all the good influences in my life, you were the first.”

Wow!  When I first met him Larry was a teenager in my youth group.  He had a lot of zeal but few skills and only a vague sense of what he wanted to do with his life.  I befriended him, we spent time together, I continually gave him opportunities to grow and expand. 

After I left Albuquerque, he graduated high school and went on to college – incidentally the college I attended.  He got his degree, came back to New Mexico and accepted the pastorate of a small 30-member congregation. 

He continued on, went to seminary, moved to a large church in Ohio, and then back to his New Mexico roots to an even larger congregation.  He is now Doctor Larry, married to Lisa, with kids and grandkids, and a church that is thriving and growing.  And he thanked me for being an early influencer. 

How amazing is that.

Today would be a dandy day for us to make the connection with someone who has been a major player in our lives. 

I’m thankful. 

I remember!

P Michael Biggs

It's All About People Blogsite

Offering Hope

Encouragement Inspiration

One Word at a Time

The Difference Between Looking and Seeing

A Video Version

Click HERE if the above link 

does not work with your browser

There is a difference between looking and seeing.  And for our purposes, this is what I mean.

Og Mandino, author of The Greatest Salesman in the World was one of my writing heroes.  Though he is now gone, I still desire to see as he saw, but I don’t want to look like he looks.  I’m sure you understand the difference.  

I would make a lousy cutout copy of Og Mandino in the physical flesh.  However, if I could see with his insight what this world needs in words and thoughts, then I would be happy in my calling. 

Note this.

You don’t want to 

look like your heroes, 

you want to see 

like your heroes.

And how does your hero see?  What influences has he or she had that has given them the unique perspectives that they possess?  Ah, that is the thing to ponder.  What has caused their vision, their slant on their field of expertise to be so intense, so acute. 

I want to see what other men and women of greatness see.  I don’t want to look like them – no, no.  I want to see like them.  I think, perhaps, we should read more biographies and life stories of the greats to gain a glimpse of their vision; not their eyesight, but their vision.

This is what is on my mind today.

P Michael Biggs

Up-Words Web Site

Offering Hope

Encouragement Inspiration

One Word at a Time

Hungering for Love

Click HERE if the above video link does not work 

On May 25, 2011 Oprah Winfrey ended her television show The Oprah Winfrey Show.  In her final words she shared this:

I’ve talked to nearly 30,000 people on this show, and all 30,000 had one thing in common:  They all wanted validation.  If I could reach through this television and sit on your sofa or sit on a stool in your kitchen right now, I would tell

you that every person you meet shares a common desire.  They want to know: ‘Do you see me?  Do you hear me?  Does what I say matter?

~Oprah Winfrey

Those words still move me.  They challenge me.  They tell me I’m on bead with my mission.  My mission?  My mission … to offer hope, encouragement and inspiration to mankind, one word at a time. 

Mother Teresa said this: 

There is more hunger for love and appreciation in this world than for bread.

Oh how true that is, for I read the notes from my readers and the responses on social media sites.  The hunger for love and acceptance and appreciation is in epic proportions today.

And what is our response?  How do we show love and acceptance to others?

I have a few ideas.

~When engaged in conversation, I put down the iGadgets and give my full attention to whomever it is I am speaking. 

~I listen with an empathetic ear.

~I do not prepare my next comment while the other person is speaking.  I give full attention and then respond.

~If I sense an openness in their spirit for a spiritual word of hope, then I offer that.

Recently I had a conversation with a thirty-five-year-old single mother of a ten-year-old.  She has been in Seattle one year, has few friends and her world consists of the Seattle Zoo and a few other places that appeal to her daughter. 

While conducting our business I heard her sigh no less than five times.  After talking about jobs and interests she asked me what I did for fun outside of banking.  I mentioned that I am a writer and she wanted to know about that.  I gave her my writing business card and she said she would definitely look at my web site.

I told her about this article and quoted the Oprah quote and told her how I was giving my life to bring hope to my corner of the world.  She brightened and said “You will never know how much I needed to hear that.”

She was a woman hungering for esteeming and validating love.  She was looking to see if there was someone, anyone in her vicinity who might validate her life and let her know she mattered. 

Who do you know that is in need of this kind of validation and recognition?  They exist, and you can offer your heart, a listening ear, and perhaps a few words that might make a difference in the moment.

And if you are one seeking validation for yourself, seek out good, wholesome and inspirational material.  If you are reading this, then I have two other blog sites you should see.

For words of hope and encouragement, Click HERE for Up-Words Morning Notes

If you are open to spiritual insights, then Click HERE for Internet Church

Hope abounds. 

There are some trusted individuals and resources that can help you. Seek them out. 

I will pray for you. 

P Michael Biggs

It's All About People

Offering Hope

Encouragement Inspiration

One Word at a Time